Tribute Give Dubas a letter grade on the 2022 draft

[ToneDog]

People saying he added picks, I get it. You could also argue he traded our 1st down to a 2nd for a player we could have got in the 3rd.

He also used a 2023 pick but who's counting. I figure if he can keep trading down, one year he could acquire most of the 7th round picks.

 

[Anthrax442]

 

[Ianturnedbull]

These threads should be created 2-3 years after the draft.

Good point. Go start a 2020 draft revisited thread. I'll be there.

 

[heatersthebest]

Summary:

You started the draft with the 25th overall pick and forced back and out of the 1st round to dump Mrazek's contract.

Then at #38 you take a defense first 2-way forward which most professional scouting agencies had ranked in late 70's- early 80's range ( = mid to late 3rd round pick at best) in draft value. More effective defensively and a checker with limited offensive upside at this point. Perhaps there is a Anthony Cirelli 3rd line checking/shutodwn center in this future to replace and play a David Kampf role.

You then trade a reacquired 3rd #79 (Dermott deal) and trade it to move back for a 2022 4th (#95-Nicholas Moldenhauer) & 2022 fifth round pick (#135-Nikita Grebenkin) to try and not only draft 3 players again this draft like last one. .

Then you borrow from the future 2023 fourth round pick (?-?) to Predators for • 2022 fourth round pick (#122-Dennis Hildeby) . Hildenby a goalie is turning 21 years old next month and D-3 player already passed over in 2 drafts and the oldest player selected in this draft. He is also locked in for 2 more years into his SHL contract making available in 2025 to come to NA. Small sample size for stats but big goalie 6-6 235 lbs that might be a late bloomer at least that is the hope.

Our best pick is likely your last pick in terms of draft value Brandon Lisowsky but were talking a stocky 5-9 180 lbs but reasonable stats 33 goals 58 points in 63 games, but the Leafs organization already has a bunch of previously drafted smaller skilled wingers in this size range, Ultimately, the questionable first-step quickness on a 5’9” frame and the lack of real dynamic skill in traffic, with average high hockey IQ and vision makes this a reason he fell to the 7th and a longshot to future NHL success.

Leafs traded our own 1st (Petr Mrazek), 2nd (Mark Girodano), 3rd (David Rittich) , 4th (Nick Foligno), 5th (Ben Hutton), 6th (Riley Nash) and all you have to show for all that draft capital is a 39 year old oldest current skater in the NHL.

Toronto Maple Leafs​

Grade: C-

First rounders: None

Day 2 picks: Fraser Minten, C; Nicholas Modenhauer, RW; Dennis Hildeby, G; Nikita Grebenkin, RW; Brandon Lisowsky, LW

Either way, this is a small class with few picks with limited upside and not necessarily the most exciting haul you’ll find this year. Despite picking only 3 times last year there are no Matthew Knies in this years draft class by the Leafs.

There was no current iteration of Matthew Knies last year at this time either.

 

[ToneDog]

Good point. Go start a 2020 draft revisited thread. I'll be there.

Not much to talk about yet:

Draft	Num.	Round	Player	Pos	Drafted From	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2020 Entry
2020 Entry	15	1	Rodion Amirov	L	Ufa Salavat Yulayev [KHL]
2020 Entry	59	2	Roni Hirvonen	C	Assat Pori [SM-liiga]
2020 Entry	64	3	Topi Niemela	D	Karpat [SM-liiga]
2020 Entry	106	4	Artur Akhtyamov	G	Kazan Jrs. (Russia)
2020 Entry	122	4	William Villeneuve	D	Saint John Sea Dogs [QMJHL]
2020 Entry	137	5	Dmitry Ovchinnikov	L	Novosibirsk Jrs. (Russia)
2020 Entry	168	6	Veeti Miettinen	R	Espoo Jrs. (Finland)
2020 Entry	177	6	Axel Rindell	D	Jukurit Mikkeli [SM-liiga]
2020 Entry	180	6	Joe Miller	C	Blake School (Minn. H.S.)
2020 Entry	189	7	John Fusco	D	Dexter Southfield (Mass. H.S.)
2020 Entry	195	7	Wyatt Schingoethe	F	Waterloo Black Hawks [USHL]
2020 Entry	213	7	Ryan Tverberg	C	Toronto Jr. Canadiens [OJHL]

We could try 2019

Draft	Num.	Round	Player	Pos	Drafted From	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2019 Entry
2019 Entry	53	2	Nick Robertson	L	Peterborough Petes [OHL]	16	1	1	2	4
2019 Entry	84	3	Mikko Kokkonen	D	Jukurit Mikkeli [SM-liiga]
2019 Entry	115	4	Mikhail Abramov	C	Victoriaville Tigres [QMJHL]
2019 Entry	124	4	Nick Abruzzese	C	Chicago Steel [USHL]	9	1	0	1	2
2019 Entry	146	5	Michael Koster	D	Chaska [Minn. H.S.]
2019 Entry	204	7	Kalle Loponen	D	Karpat [Finland Jrs.]

How's about 2018

Draft	Num.	Round	Player	Pos	Drafted From	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2018 Entry
2018 Entry	29	1	Rasmus Sandin	D	Soo Greyhounds [OHL]	88	6	22	28	14
2018 Entry	52	2	Sean Durzi	D	Owen Sound Attack [OHL]	64	3	24	27	55
2018 Entry	76	3	Semyon Der-Arguchintsev	C	Peterborough Petes [OHL]
2018 Entry	83	3	Riley Stotts	C	Calgary Hitmen [WHL]
2018 Entry	118	4	Mac Hollowell	D	Soo Greyhounds [OHL]
2018 Entry	149	5	Filip Kral	D	Spokane Chiefs [WHL]
2018 Entry	156	6	Pontus Holmberg	C	Vasteras (Sweden-3)
2018 Entry	209	7	Zachary Bouthillier	G	Chicoutimi Sagueneens [QMJHL]
2018 Entry	211	7	Semyon Kizimov	R	Togliatti-2 (Russia Jrs.)

And let's not forget Hunter's last draft:

Draft	Num.	Round	Player	Pos	Drafted From	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2017 Entry
2017 Entry	17	1	Timothy Liljegren	D	Rogle BK Angelholm [SweHL]	74	5	19	24	18
2017 Entry	59	2	Eemeli Rasanen	D	Kingston Frontenacs [OHL]
2017 Entry	110	4	Ian Scott	G	Prince Albert Raiders [WHL]
2017 Entry	124	4	Vladislav Kara	L	Kazan [Russia-Jrs]
2017 Entry	141	5	Fedor Gordeev	D	Flint Firebirds [OHL]
2017 Entry	172	6	Ryan McGregor	C	Sarnia Sting [OHL]
2017 Entry	203	7	Ryan O'Connell	D	St. Andrews [Ont. H.S.]

As an organization, we are not very good or very lucky.

 

[DarkKnight]

He also used a 2023 pick but who's counting. I figure if he can keep trading down, one year he could acquire most of the 7th round picks.

Hopefully one of these kids plays, but odds are it’s a lost draft, with the highlight we dumped a self inflicted wound. I

 

[heatersthebest]

D-

3 decent youngish goalies got traded for a reasonable price and we didn’t make a move on any of them.

He traded back and went off the board to take a player who probably would’ve been there in the third round .

He traded away our first round pick to dump an overpaid contract that he gave out not even a year ago . Dubas made it seem like he did something positive , even tho he created the problem . Our draft picks were all long shots at best underwhelm 2 days . Hopefully free agency brings a better out come

Bob’s ranking, which is a combination of views from executives and scouts had him in the 40’s. I trust that list over CS and any other agency because his list is a truer gauge of what people who work for organizations actually think.

 

[DarkKnight]

Bob’s ranking, which is a combination of views from executives and scouts had him in the 40’s. I trust that list over CS and any other agency because his list is a truer gauge of what people who work for organizations actually think.

So your argument is Bob has us talking him the least too early.

 

[Morgs]

Still figuring out what happened yesterday because I didn't have internet all f***ing day. Prepping for 11 months and then that is apocalyptic levels of f***itude.

Early I give the draft a B+. I'll do a little breakdown for each guy when I wake up and go on my laptop, but they got good value through the draft, dumped a bad contract for basically nothing and managed to get an extra pick.

Here's where I had each of our picks ranked:

Minten - 47th
Moldenhauer - 90th
Grebenkin - UR, but only because he was OA. I had him flagged as interesting.
Lisowsky - 59th
Hildeby - I don't rank goalies

 

[ToneDog]

Hopefully one of these kids plays, but odds are it’s a lost draft, with the highlight we dumped a self inflicted wound. I

Don't know what the deal is with Logan Morrison. I believe he was not drafted. 34g 66a 100p in 60 games. 39 points in the playoffs.

Logan Morrison​

Center -- shoots R
Born Jul 9 2002 -- Guelph, ONT
[20 yrs. ago]
Height 6.00 -- Weight 180 [183 cm/82 kg]

Kid from an hour down the road was surely was worth a 7th. No idea who Lisowsky is but I'd be willing to bet he never plays.

Brandon Lisowsky​

Left Wing -- shoots L
Born Apr 13 2004 -- Port Coquitlam, BC
[18 yrs. ago]
Height 5.08 -- Weight 171 [173 cm/78 kg]

 

[DarkKnight]

Leafs have made 1 first round pick the last 4 drafts. And we have nothing to show for it so far.

 

[Arthur Morgan]

we got rid of Mrazek. so thats a + on its own.
good thing we have hit on a few prospects that became top prospects outside the 1st round or things would be looking pretty bad. we are in win now mode so its understandable to spend these picks but sooner or later its going to hurt us. we have already seen what happens when you trade all your prospects and draft picks. took us 10+ years to start getting back on track.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Leafs have made 1 first round pick the last 4 drafts. And we have nothing to show for it so far.

Are you including this year’s draft in that “nothing to show for it”? Because the math doesn’t add up.

They’ve made 2 first round picks in the last 4 years. Unfortunately one of them was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

 

[heatersthebest]

So your argument is Bob has us talking him the least too early.

Nine spots? Nine spots in a draft that has 225 picks. Your gripe is with a pick being 9 picks too early?

Geez the Dubas hate is strong with this one.

 

[DarkKnight]

Are you including this year’s draft in that “nothing to show for it”? Because the math doesn’t add up.

They’ve made 2 first round picks in the last 4 years. Unfortunately one of them was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

We’ve made one? Nothing to show for it, we traded picks and haven’t won a round, isn’t that self evident.

Nine spots? Nine spots in a draft that has 225 picks. Your gripe is with a pick being 9 picks too early?

Geez the Dubas hate is strong with this one.

No you cherry pick one half retired guy, leave out ALL the rest and even that one is later. There is no hate, unless math is the devil.

 

[Stamkos4life]

Do this ever year

Blow picks. Pick late, we never see those picks, is justified as good picks because we didn't pick in the first because we dumped it in a wasteful effort.

The fact so many consider dubas a good drafter despite almost none of his picks making any impact is hilarious.

I mean he is clearly trading our future for the present with his constant trading of draft capitol and yet we are still exactly where we were in 2018 with zero first round wins.

 

[ACC1224]

Bob’s ranking, which is a combination of views from executives and scouts had him in the 40’s. I trust that list over CS and any other agency because his list is a truer gauge of what people who work for organizations actually think.

How many opinions does he get for each pick? Shirley every team doesn't provide input on every eligible player.

 

[rocketman588]

Oilers fans are absolutely shredding Holland if you go to their board.

This graphic is the exact opposite of how it is in reality

 

[ACC1224]

Draft met my expectations, so I'll give it a B.
I expected to be disappointed and they delivered.

 

[rocketman588]

Leafs have made 1 first round pick the last 4 drafts. And we have nothing to show for it so far.

And and it wasn't even out first because we got it from pitts

 

[ToneDog]

The fact so many consider dubas a good drafter despite almost none of his picks making any impact is hilarious.

I mean he is clearly trading our future for the present with his constant trading of draft capitol and yet we are still exactly where we were in 2018 with zero first round wins.

I have prepared myself for another tank when the next Pres. and GM takes over if some of these picks do not stick. So far Durzi and Sandin are his only picks to stick (he's had 35 darts in 5 drafts).

 

[ToneDog]

And and it wasn't even out first because we got it from pitts

Cost us Kappy. Yeah he sucks. Rather have Joey Anderson.

 

[Captain Crunch]

D

It sucks seeing teams adding exciting talent and us trying to get excited about Fraser Mincen.

Sooner or later, the lack of 1st round picks will catch up with us... hard.

Agree totally. It would be different if we had been winning playoff rounds because of trades made, but it’s been 6 straight years of 1st round exits.
And it gets very tiresome of people constantly bragging up his draft picks as if he has picked the best player in that round.
His reluctance to trade any of the “core” group, as well as having half of the team’s cap hit on 4 forwards, hasn’t led to any playoff success. Having great regular seasons but continuously folding when it matters the most, has become extremely frustrating.
Having NHL-ready players coming up from the minors on ELCs who can contribute is necessary, especially when you’re as close to the cap as we are. And that’s where not having those 1st and 2nd round draft picks coming up from the minors will always come back to bite you in the ass!

 

[ToneDog]

Leafs have made 1 first round pick the last 4 drafts. And we have nothing to show for it so far.

Thank God drafting is his forte. The dummy Hunter only drafted our 3 best players. The dummy Burkie was only able to draft our best dman.

 

[Mess]

NHL Draft grades: Corey Pronman evaluates every pick by all 32 teams

Corey Pronman grades how every team performed at the 2022 NHL Draft.

theathletic.com

Toronto Maple Leafs: B-

Toronto didn’t pick high or often, but even with that in mind I think you’re still looking at their class and seeing some NHL potential. Fraser Minten I think will play, and there are several other prospects I think have chances to make it. In particular, the re-entry goalie Dennis Hildeby is intriguing. Realistically though you’re looking at one NHL player from this class in Minten.

Agreed " Realistically though you’re looking at one NHL player from this class in Minten"

If everything works out you're looking at 3rd line checking 2-way centre 3-4 years down the road from this draft class if Minton continues to develop upon his strengths.